After 35 years on Washington Square, Brunks Screen Printing and Graphics is closing its doors.
Brunks owner-operator Curt Reynolds cited one reason for closing the business: rising costs. The Illinois minimum wage increase has affected business owners that make up much of his client base, he said.
“It’s raised the price of everything else … gas, food, utility bills … everything’s gone up,” he said. “People don’t have the money to spend on anything other than necessities.”
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Why did Brunks close?
The COVID-19 pandemic also played a key role in Brunks’ struggle to meet costs, Reynolds said. He estimated that more than half of his client businesses closed during or due to the pandemic. In 2020, the business received a $24,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration and a $3,000 forgivable loan, according to a 2020 Journal Star story. Reynolds also pulled more than $80,000 from his children’s college fund and his retirement savings to cushion the losses.
Reynolds announced he was closing Brunks in a Facebook post Monday, along with a notice that he was holding a going-out-of-business sale that day. The public response to the announcement and the 50% off all merchandise sale was greater than he anticipated.
“I had a lot of inventory, and people came in and bought me out,” Reynolds said. “It’s back-to-school season, so a lot of people were buying (Washington High School) Panther wear, and people were getting stuff for Eureka, Dee-Mack (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) and Morton. I carry all those schools in the store.”
When will Brunks close?
Reynolds is not certain when his last day of business will be, but said he plans to operate on a limited schedule beginning Aug. 19. He will close Brunks by the end of October. The location, which used to be a bowling alley, is listed for sale at $375,000, according to the commercial real estate site crexi.com.
“I’d like to thank everyone in town for supporting Brunks all these years,” he said. “I also appreciate everyone who came out this week and gave me a little more time (in business).”
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Brunks Screen Printing and Graphics is located at 122 N. Main Street, Washington. Current hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. More information is available at brunkssportscenteril.com
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Brunks on downtown Washington Square closing because of rising costs
